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Sadichchha Pokharel,

Editor (Asia — South)

 

HYDERABAD — The Indian government’s approval of the new Telangana state on Thursday, October 1, has sparked protests all across Andhra Pradesh. Telangana, which will be the 29th state of India, comprises ten districts of Andhra Pradesh including Hyderabad, the sixth biggest city in India. It has been decided that Hyderabad will be a shared capital between the two states for the first ten years.

There was disturbance in Rayalaseema and Seemandhra regions of Andhra Pradesh immediately following the government’s announcement on Thursday. Four ministers — M Pallam Raju, Kavuri Samba Siva Rao, Chiranjeevi and Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy, have threatened to hand in their resignations in disapproval of the government’s decision over Telangana.

Debates for and against the formation of Telangana have been going on over the recent years in the country. Supporters of the Telangana state have stated that the government has neglected the area and having a separate state would bring better care and attention to the region. But opponents of the formation are against the idea of sharing Hyderabad — the technological and medical hub of the region.

Rallies have been staged in Andhra Pradesh and protestors have called for a 72-hour strike, which is most likely to disturb vehicular movement and will lead to shut down of educational institutions.

The final decision of Telangana remains in the hands of the Indian Parliament, and the state assembly must also approve it before the decision is finalised.

 

Image Courtesy: Arun Ganesh, via Wikimedia Commons

Sadichchha Pokharel

Editor (Asia: South)
Sadichchha is the South Asia section editor at The Global Panorama. She is an undergraduate student at Cardiff University School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. Sadi is interested in global health and human rights issues in developing countries, particularly Africa and South Asia. She is into campaigning/social marketing and would like to make a career in the communications for development (C4D) sector. She enjoys reading, writing and travelling.

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